‘Sabata’, Directed by Frank Kramer (Gianfranco Parolini)
1969. 106 minutes. Widescreen (2.35: 1 anamorphic). Label: Explosive Media, Germany. Format: All regions Blu-ray and PAL region 2
DVDs.
When he hears that $100,000 worth of US Army funds have
been snatched from the bank at Daugherty by persons unknown, an enterprising
drifter called Sabata (Lee Van Cleef) quickly tracks the culprits, shoots them
down and returns the money to its rightful owners. Sabata soon deduces that the
bank raid was set up by three crooked town elders - Stengel (Franco Ressel),
Ferguson (Anthony Gradwell) and Judge O'Hara (Gianni Rizzo) - and he sets about
blackmailing the trio. Aided by two local misfits, the scruffy Carrincha (Pedro
Sanchez) and the acrobatic Alley Cat (Nick Jordan), Sabata acts to put the
dishonest trio under increasing pressure while simultaneously fighting off a
series of assassins that they send after him. Sabata also has to second-guess
the intentions of an old acquaintance, the duplicitous Banjo (William Berger),
who is quietly observing events as they unfold from the sidelines.
‘Sabata’ may be a somewhat jokey affair but the film
boasts a number of noteworthy attributes. First and foremost, it looks like
absolutely no expense was spared when the film was being assembled. It’s a
really good-looking show thanks to Sergio Leone collaborator Carlo Simi's
outstanding art direction and cinematographer Sandro Mancori's talent for
expertly framing shots and setting up stylish and fluid camera movements. The
film also features a superb soundtrack score that is chockfull of great cues.
The composer Marcello Giombini's work here utilizes Ennio Morricone-esque
Mexican trumpets and jangly guitar sounds whilst also throwing all kinds of
other baroque bits of musical business into the mix. ‘Sabata’ also features two of the genre's
biggest and best-loved stars, Lee Van Cleef and William Berger, along with a
host of popular supporting actors in the form of Franco Ressel, Gianni Rizzo,
Linda Veras and Spartaco Conversi.
Frank Kramer’s critics might be right when they argue
that the larger narrative arcs of most of his Westerns are merely flimsy
excuses for a succession of action set pieces. But it's precisely these always
well-staged action set pieces that make Kramer's Westerns so enjoyable: the set
pieces tend to be novel and fascinatingly multilayered affairs that can be
likened to the skin of an onion or a set of Russian nesting dolls. Nothing is
ever what it initially seems to be in Kramer's films: new and unexpected layers
of understanding about a particular object, weapon or relationship are
constantly being revealed which ultimately results in surprising narrative
developments arising. Campy spy
show-like gadgets, flippantly two-dimensional character types, anti-illusionist
stunts, outrageous surprises and comic strip-like plotting litter Kramer's
stylishly shot Italian Westerns.
‘Sabata’ possesses all of these elements and the film remains a
thoroughly enjoyable tongue-in-cheek romp that is highly regarded by fans of
the genre.
Explosive Media's All Region Blu-ray of ‘Sabata’ boasts
pin-sharp, detailed and amazingly colorful picture quality. The Blu-ray presentation's sound quality (I
used the English dub but German and Italian dubs, supported by English language
subtitles, are also available) is excellent too.
Extras: The main feature is also repeated on a PAL Region
2 DVD. A second PAL Region 2 DVD houses the set's extra features. Chief amongst
these is a 43 minute featurette that boasts an interview with Frank
Kramer/Gianfranco Parolini that is supported by additional comments from the
film historian Fabio Melelli. Also
included amongst the extra features are an image gallery, trailers for almost
all of Lee Van Cleef's Euro Westerns, an assortment of other Western trailers
and an illustrated booklet (German text only).
© 2014 copyright Lee Broughton.
A more in depth review of this release can be found here:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s4341lee.html
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